Systems and methods for supporting and stabilizing a patient during hip distraction

ABSTRACT

A method for hip distraction includes positioning a patient on a patient pad placed on a surgical table; and applying a distraction force to a leg of the patient that is sufficient to distract a hip joint of the patient, wherein the distraction force is opposed by a slide-resisting friction force provided by the patient pad and the patient pad is sufficiently stiff to resist bunching while providing the slide-resisting friction force.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/488,213, filed Sep. 28, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/084,494, filed Sep. 28, 2020 and U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/148,597, filed Feb. 11, 2021, the entirecontents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to hip distraction in general, and moreparticularly to supporting and stabilizing a patient during hipdistraction.

BACKGROUND

When performing surgical procedures on the hip joint, it is common todistract the hip joint prior to the surgery in order to provideadditional room within the hip joint during the surgery and in order tobetter present selected anatomy to the surgeon during the surgery. Hipdistraction is commonly achieved by applying a distraction force to thedistal end of the leg of the patient. Generally, a surgical boot isplaced on the foot and lower leg of the patient, the surgical boot isconnected to a distraction frame, and the distraction frame is used toapply a distraction force to the surgical boot, whereby to apply adistraction force to the leg of the patient.

With conventional hip distraction, it is common to provide a padded post(often referred to as a perineal post) between the legs of the patient.This padded post provides a counterforce to the anatomy when thedistraction force is applied to the surgical boot. However, the use of apadded post can create complications, since the padded post can pressagainst the pudendal nerve of the patient, and/or the sciatic nerve ofthe patient, during distraction. Additionally, the padded post can exertpressure on the blood vessels in the leg of the patient duringdistraction. Thus, it would be desirable to minimize or eliminate theuse of the padded post if other means could be used to provide acounterforce to the anatomy when the distraction force is applied to thesurgical boot.

With some surgeries, it can be desirable to position the patient in theso-called “Trendelenburg position”, e.g., during abdominal surgery. Whendisposed in the Trendelenburg position, the patient lies on the surgicaltable “flat on their back”, with their feet higher than their head,e.g., by approximately 15-30 degrees. In order to facilitate thisarrangement, the surgical table is typically tilted so that thepatient's head is angled downward and the patient's feet are angledupward.

In the case of hip arthroscopy, it has been recognized that positioningthe patient in this manner can facilitate distraction of the hip jointwithout a perineal post; that is, the gravitational weight of thepatient inclined in the Trendelenburg position counteracts thedistraction force in lieu of the perineal post. The frictional forces ofthe patient on the surgical table also contribute to counteract thedistraction force. This approach has sometimes been referred to as“post-less” or “post-free” hip arthroscopy.

There are a number of benefits of post-less hip distraction, includingeliminating the risk of damage caused by pressure against the pudendalnerve, the sciatic nerve, and/or the blood vessels of the patient duringdistraction. Another benefit is that no force is transferred to thenon-operative leg, which can eliminate risks associated with forcesbeing applied to the non-operative leg (such as neurovascular damage).Yet another benefit of post-less hip distraction is that a post-lessprocedure results in less pelvic tilt than conventional distractionusing a post.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a method for performing a surgicalprocedure on a hip of a patient includes positioning the patient on aslide-resisting pad on a surgical table, tilting the surgical table sothat the patient is in a Trendelenburg position, applying a distractionforce to achieve at least a desired amount of distraction of the hipwithout a perineal post, and reducing a degree of tilt of the surgicaltable after the degree of distraction has been achieved. At least aportion of the surgical procedure is then performed on the patient withthe surgical table in the reduced degree of tilt. The desired amount ofhip distraction is maintained despite the reduced degree of tilt due toa reduction in the required distraction force attributable to relaxationof tissue of the joint and due to the slide-resisting pad providingslide-resisting force sufficient to maintain the position of thepatient. Through this method, the surgeon can perform at least a portionof the surgery with the patient in a more natural position similar tothat achieved when using a perineal post while benefiting from theadvantages of a post-less procedure.

According to various embodiments, a method for hip distraction includespositioning a patient on a slide-resisting pad placed on a surgicaltable; tilting the surgical table so that the patient is in a firstdegree of inclination; applying a distraction force to a leg of thepatient while the patient is in the first degree of inclination so thata hip joint of the patient is distracted, wherein the distraction forceis opposed by a combination of a slide-resisting friction force providedby the slide-resisting pad and a gravitational force attributable to thefirst degree of inclination; reducing the tilt of the surgical table inaccordance with a reduction of the distraction force over time so thatthe patient is in a second degree of inclination; and performing atleast a portion of a surgical procedure on the distracted hip jointwhile the patient is in the second degree of inclination.

In any of these embodiments, the second degree of inclination may bezero so that the patient is in a horizontal position and the at least aportion of the surgical procedure is performed on the distracted hipjoint while the patient is in the horizontal position.

In any of these embodiments, the combination of a slide-resistingfriction force provided by the slide-resisting pad and the gravitationalforce attributable to the first degree of inclination of the patient maybe sufficient to oppose the distraction force so that the patient doesnot slide in a direction of the distraction force.

In any of these embodiments, applying the distraction force may includesetting a position of a distractor that applies the distraction force,and wherein the position of the distractor may be maintained while thetilt of the surgical table is reduced.

In any of these embodiments, the inclined first position may be at most20 degrees from horizontal.

In any of these embodiments, the surgical table may be free of aperineal post.

In any of these embodiments, skin of the patient may be in directcontact with the slide-resisting pad.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may be placed onone or more table top pads of the surgical table.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may extend at leastbeneath shoulders and buttocks of the patient.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may be strapped tothe surgical table.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may be a disposablepad.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may include a foammaterial.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may include atleast one higher friction layer.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may be a singlelayer of the foam material.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may be less thanfive inches thick.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may include one ormore thickness changes for enhancing patient-to-pad friction.

In any of these embodiments, the one or more thickness changes mayinclude a corrugated shape.

In any of these embodiments, the one or more thickness changes mayinclude a thickened area in a location that corresponds to a location ofbuttocks of the patient.

In any of these embodiments, the thickened area may form a wedge shape.

In any of these embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may include atleast one visual indicator for indicating at least one of how toposition the slide-resisting pad on the surgical table and how toposition the patient on the slide-resisting pad.

In any of these embodiments, the at least one visual indicator mayinclude at least one cut-out.

In any of these embodiments, the patient may not be strapped to thesurgical table.

In any of these embodiments, the distraction force may be applied bymoving a boot of a distractor away from the surgical table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 100 for supportingand stabilizing a patient for hip distraction for performing a surgicalprocedure on the hip, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method 200 for performingsurgery on a hip of a patient, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a patient positioned on aslide-resisting pad on a surgical table that is in a horizontalposition, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3B illustrates the tilting of the patient of FIG. 3A, according tovarious embodiments

FIG. 3C illustrates a reduced degree of tilt of the patient of FIG. 3A,according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a distraction assembly that includes aforce gauge, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a slide-resisting pad,according to various embodiments;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate slide-resisting pad configurations, according tovarious embodiments; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate various slide-resisting pads that can includelocation indicators and straps, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 8-10B, 11A-11J and 12-24 are schematic views showing a patient padcomprising at least one first region having a higher coefficient offriction and at least one second region having a lower coefficient offriction, according to various embodiments;

FIGS. 25-27 are schematic views showing a patient pad comprising astiffener to resist bunching when the patient pad is subject to asliding force, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 28 is a schematic view showing a patient pad comprising a firstregion having at least one opening communicating with a source of atleast one of suction and air pressure, according to various embodiments;

FIGS. 29 and 30 are schematic views showing a patient pad comprising abottom element comprising at least two handles and a top elementcomprising at least two openings for passing the at least two handlestherethrough, according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are schematic views showing a patient supportcomprising a conveyor belt, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations and embodimentsof various aspects and variations of systems and methods describedherein. Although several exemplary variations of the systems and methodsare described herein, other variations of the systems and methods mayinclude aspects of the systems and methods described herein combined inany suitable manner having combinations of all or some of the aspectsdescribed.

According to various embodiments, described herein are systems andmethods for performing a surgical procedure via post-free hipdistraction in which a degree of incline of the patient used tocounteract the distraction force is decreased for at least a portion ofthe surgical procedure while maintaining a desired amount ofdistraction. According to various embodiments, a patient is placed on aslide-resisting pad on a surgical table and placed in a first degree ofinclination (a Trendelenburg position). A distraction force is appliedto the patient to achieve a desired amount of distraction of thepatient's hip joint) with the distraction force being countered by thefrictional force provided by the slide-resisting pad and thegravitational force on the patient acting along the incline. Theinventors discovered that the distraction force can decrease over timedue to relaxing of the soft tissue of the patient and, therefore, thatthe degree of incline of the patient can be reduced. Thus, according tovarious embodiments, the degree of incline of the patient is reduced andat least a portion of the surgical procedure is performed with thepatient in the reduced degree of incline, enabling the surgeon toperform the surgical procedure in a more natural position akin to asurgical procedure performed with a perineal post and without the risksto the patient posed by the use of a perineal post.

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, in which are shown, by way ofillustration, specific embodiments that can be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments and examples can be practiced, andchanges can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

In addition, it is also to be understood that the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” used in the following description are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It is also to be understood that the term “and/or” as usedherein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It is further to beunderstood that the terms “includes, “including,” “comprises,” and/or“comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or units but donot preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, units, and/or groupsthereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 100 for supportingand stabilizing a patient for hip distraction for performing a surgicalprocedure on the hip, according to various embodiments. The patient 102is supported by a tiltable surgical table 104. Surgical table 104 can beany suitable surgical table that is tiltable for placing the patent in aTrendelenburg position. The surgical table 104 generally comprises abase 106 for contacting the operating room floor, a pedestal 108 risingfrom base 106, and a platform 110 for supporting the patient. A cushion112 is generally disposed on the top surface 114 of platform 110.

According to some embodiments, the surgical table 104 comprises a distalportion 120 that may be made of radiolucent materials (e.g., a carbonfiber composite) such that X-ray and/or CT imaging may be performed onthe anatomy residing on the distal portion 120, such as via C-arm X-raysystem 150. In some embodiments, the distal portion 120 is a removableextension mounted onto an end of the surgical table 104, such asdisclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No.15/890,047, filed on Feb. 6, 2018 and titled “Method and apparatus forsupporting and stabilizing a patient during hip distraction,” the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The distalportion 120 may include a cushion 122.

The surgical table 104 is configured to tilt the platform 110 toposition the patient 102 in an inclined position. A degree ofinclination can be indicated on an inclinometer 124, which can belocated on the platform 110 or on the distal portion 120. The surgicaltable 104 may be a post-less surgical table—i.e., the surgical table 104does not have a perineal post.

According to various embodiments, the system 100 include a tractionsystem 130 that includes one or more leg supports 131 for supportingand/or applying traction to the leg 190 of the patient 102. The one ormore leg supports 131 can be mounted (e.g., removable mounted) to thesurgical table 104, such as to the base 106 of the surgical table 104 orto the platform 110 of the surgical table 104, or can be a free-standingassembly. According to various embodiments, a leg support 131 generallyincludes a boot 132 for holding the foot 192 of the patient 102 and asupport structure (generally indicated by reference numeral 134) foraltering a position of the boot 132 and, thereby, the leg 190 of thepatient 102. The support structure 134 may be adjustable relative to thesurgical table 104, such as via one or more user controls 135, forpositioning the leg in the desired position for a surgical procedureand/or for applying a distraction force to the leg. According to variousembodiments, the distraction force is applied to the boot 132 through amechanism 136 to which the boot 132 is mounted. The mechanism 136 mayinclude a user control 138 (e.g., handle, knob, lever, switch, etc.) formaking at least some adjustment to an amount of distraction travel ofthe boot 132 and/or an amount of distraction force applied through theboot 132. The mechanism 136 may include a force gauge, such as forcegauge 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 , for indicating an amount of tractionforce applied to the leg 190 through the mechanism 136.

According to various embodiments, a slide-resisting pad 142 ispositioned on the top surface of the surgical table 104 (which,according to various embodiments, can include the top portion of thedistal portion 120) and is configured to increase the friction betweenthe patient and surgical table 104. The friction provided by theslide-resisting pad, both friction with the surgical table 104 (e.g.,between the slide-resisting pad 142 and the cushions 112 and 122) andfriction with the patient, can resist at least a portion of thedistraction force applied to one or more legs of the patient 102 toreduce the possibility of the patient 102 inadvertently sliding onsurgical table 104, particularly during hip distraction and/or legmanipulation and/or during tilting of the patient 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method 200 for performingsurgery on a hip of a patient, according to various embodiments. At step202, a patient is positioned on a slide-resisting pad on a surgicaltable. For example, the patient may be positioned on slide-resisting pad142 positioned on surgical table 104 of system 100. According to variousembodiments, the slide-resisting pad may be positioned on the surgicaltable and the patient may be lifted onto the slide-resisting pad or theslide-resisting pad with the patient thereon may be lifted together ontothe table. According to various embodiments, the surgical table may bein a horizontal position (i.e., 0 degrees of tilt) when the patient ispositioned on the surgical table. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagramillustrating a patient 302 positioned on a slide-resisting pad 306 on asurgical table 304 that is in a horizontal position, according tovarious embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the patient is positioned with thepatient's hips and torso supported by the surgical table. According tovarious embodiments, the slide-resisting pad may be sized so that thepatient's buttocks and shoulders are in contact with the slide-resistingpad. According to various embodiments and referring to system 100 ofFIG. 1 , the patient's hips may be supported by the distal portion 120of the surgical table 104, which may be made of radiolucent materials(e.g., a carbon fiber composite) such that X-ray and/or CT imaging maybe performed on the hip while the patient is positioned on the surgicaltable. According to various embodiments, the patient may be strapped tosurgical table and/or to the slide-resisting pad. In some embodiments,the slide-resisting pad is strapped to the surgical table. In someembodiments, the patient is not strapped to the surgical table and/or isnot strapped to the slide-resisting pad.

According to various embodiments, the patient's skin is in directcontact with the slide-resisting pad to ensure a maximum frictionalforce between the patient and the slide-resisting pad. In otherembodiments, a sheet or patient gown is disposed between the patient andthe slide-resisting pad.

According to various embodiments, the patient's leg or legs may befastened into one or more leg supports that will be used to applytraction to the patient's leg during the surgical procedure, such as oneor more leg supports 131 of system 100.

At step 204, the surgical table is tilted so that the patient is in afirst degree of inclination, with the patient's head positioned lowerthan the patient's legs—i.e., positioning the patient in a Trendelenburgposition. FIG. 3B illustrates the tilting of the patient, according tovarious embodiments. The surgical table 304 is titled by an initialangle of θ_(i) from horizontal. According to various embodiments, θ_(i)is 30 degrees or less, preferably 20 degrees or less, more preferably 15degrees or less, more preferably 10 degrees or less, or more preferably5 degrees or less.

Generally, the surgical table is tilted by an amount at least sufficientin combination with the friction force provided by the slide-resistingpad to ensure that a sufficient traction force can be applied to theleg(s) of the patient. In some embodiments, a default amount of tilt isused regardless of the characteristics of the patient and/or theprocedure type. In other embodiments, the amount of tilt of the surgicaltable is tailored to patient characteristics and/or procedure type. Forexample, the weight of the patient may affect the amount of tilt, withheaver patients generally tilted less than lighter patients. Differentprocedure types may require different amounts of distraction and, thus,different degrees of tilt. Patients with greater muscle mass may requirehigher distraction forces, and thus greater degree of tilting, thansimilar patients with less muscle mass.

At step 206, a distraction force is applied to at least one leg of thepatient while the patient is in the first degree of inclination. Theapplied distraction force is sufficient to distract the hip joint of thepatient by a desired amount. Distraction forces can be, for example, upto 150 pounds. The distraction force is illustrated by vector F_(i) inFIG. 3B. The distraction force can be applied according to well-knowntechniques and based on the experience of the surgeon and theconfiguration of the traction system. According to various embodiments,the distraction force is applied by setting a position of a distractorof the traction system of the surgical table. For example, in system 100of FIG. 1 , the distraction force may be applied by moving the boot 132away from the surgical table 104, such as by moving the supportstructure 134 via the user control 135 and/or by adjustments to themechanism 136 via the user control 138. Alternatively, distraction forcemay be applied by move the surgical table away from the patient's feet.Alternatively, distraction force may be applied by tilting the table inTrendelenburg method.

According to various embodiments, the distraction force F_(i) and thedegree of tilt θ_(i) are achieved in an iterative manner, such as byfirst setting a degree of inclination, applying an amount of distractionforce, increasing the degree of tilt should the applied distractionforce cause patient sliding, and then increasing the distraction forcefurther. Thus, steps 204 and 208 may be performed at least partially inparallel.

According to various embodiments, an amount of distraction of the hipjoint is verified via imaging, such as via display of one or more imagesgenerated by C-arm X-ray system 150 on display 152 of system 100.According to various embodiments, the distraction force may be appliedin an incremental fashion with the surgeon checking the amount ofdistraction of the patient's hip after each incremental increase in thedistraction force, such as via X-ray imaging.

The distraction force applied to the leg of the patient is generallycountered by the frictional force provided by the slide-resisting padand a component of the patient's weight that acts along the incline.According to various embodiments, additional patient holding force maybe provided by one or more straps that strap the patient to the surgicaltable and/or the slide-resisting pad. According to various embodiments,a fluid (e.g., air, saline) could be injected into the joint to decreasethe force required for traction by breaking the suction seal between thelabrum and femoral head. This could be done prior to applying a tractionforce or while a traction force is applied.

The surgical procedure on the hip could be performed by the surgeon withthe patient in the θ_(i) inclined position. However, performing thesurgical procedure with the patient in a less inclined position may bemore desirable for the surgeon, such as because the surgeon may be moreexperienced performing the surgery with the patient in a horizontalposition using a perineal post, the surgical site may be more accessiblewith less tilt, and/or imaging may be more intuitive with the patient ina horizontal position. The inventors discovered that the amount ofdistraction force required to maintain a desired amount of distractioncan decrease over time, at least in part due to relaxation of the softtissue of the patient and, thus, that the amount of tilt can be reducedover time in accordance with the reduction in the distraction force.

Accordingly, at step 208 of method 200, the tilt of the surgical tableis reduced to a second degree of inclination that is less than the firstdegree of inclination provided in step 204 in accordance with areduction of the distraction force over time. A reduced degree of tiltaccording to various embodiments is illustrated in FIG. 3C in which thedegree of tilt, as indicated by θ_(n), is less than the degree of tiltin FIG. 3B. At least some distraction force remains and is sufficient tokeep the hip joint distracted by the desired amount, which is shown inFIG. 3C by force vector F_(n). At least a portion of the surgicalprocedure is then performed at step 210 with the patient positioned inthe second degree of inclination and with the hip joint distracted bythe desired amount. The second degree of inclination can be any degreeof inclination that is less than the first, including 0 degrees ofinclination—i.e., horizontal.

According to various embodiments, the tilt of the surgical table can bereduced in step 208 after a predetermined amount of time has elapsedsince the hip joint reached the desired amount of distraction. Thepredetermined amount of time can be, for example, 2, 5, 10, 15, or 20minutes. The predetermined amount of time may be based on the sex of thepatient. In some embodiments, the tilt of the surgical table is reducedin accordance with an observed reduction in the distraction force. Forexample, the traction system may include a force gauge that indicates anamount of distraction force applied to the patient, such as force gauge400 of FIG. 4 , and the surgeon may reduce the tilt of the surgicaltable once the force gauge indicates a distraction force that issufficiently reduced.

According to various embodiments, the position of the distractor thatapplies the distraction force to the leg of the patient is maintained asthe tilt of the surgical table is reduced. In some embodiments, thetraction system remains stationary as the surgical table tilt adjustmentis made and the position of the traction system is adjusted after thesurgical table tilt adjustment is made. In some embodiments, this caninclude increasing or decreasing the distraction force to the extent thedistraction force may have reduced as a result of the change of the tiltof the surgical table.

According to various embodiments, the required amount of distractionand, therefore, the distraction force may change over time during thesurgical procedure and the distraction force may be adjustedaccordingly. In some embodiments, the degree of tilt of the surgicaltable may be adjusted in a corresponding manner. For example, a firstportion of a surgical procedure may be performed with a first amount ofdistraction of the hip joint, requiring a first amount of distractionforce and a corresponding degree of tilting (F_(n), θ_(n)), and a secondportion of the surgical procedure may be performed with a second amountof distraction of the hip joint that is less than the first amount ofdistraction, such that a lower level of distraction force andcorresponding degree of tilting (F_(n+1)<F_(n), θ_(n+1)<θ_(n)) is usedfor the second portion of the surgical procedure. The reverse may betrue as well—the distraction force and corresponding tilting may beincreased during the surgical procedure.

According to various embodiments, frictional force provided by theslide-resisting pad (due to the patient's weight alone or in combinationwith one or more straps) may be sufficient to resist the distractionforce required for achieved the desired amount of distraction such thatthe patient need not be placed in the Trendelenburg position.Accordingly, the distraction force may be applied while the surgicaltable remains horizontal and at least a portion of the surgicalprocedure may be performed while the hip is distracted and the surgicaltable is in the horizontal position. Thus, the patient may be initiallypositioned at 0 degrees of tilt, traction may be applied while thepatient is horizontal, the joint may be sufficiently distracted withouttilting the patient, and at least a portion of the surgery may beperformed while the patient is in the non-tilted position. According tovarious embodiments, a surgeon may determine whether to place a patientin an inclined position for applying a traction force based on one ormore properties of the patient, such as the patient's weight, age,gender, muscularity, etc. In some embodiments, a surgeon may use aBeighton score, which is related to the patient's laxity, to determinehow much traction force may be needed, and therefore, whether and howmuch incline may be needed.

According to various embodiments, the surgical procedure or at least aportion of the surgical procedure comprises a minimally invasiveprocedure. According to various embodiments, the surgical procedure isor includes hip arthroscopy, hip arthroplasty, femoral neck fracturerepair, femoral shaft fracture repair, tibial shaft fracture repair,periacetabular osteotomy, or de-rotational femoral osteotomy. This ismerely an exemplary list of surgical procedures and is not intended tobe limiting.

According to various embodiments, the slide-resisting pad, such asslide-resisting pad 142 of system 100, is configured to provide highfrictional force between the patient and the pad and between the pad andthe surgical table (e.g., the cushions of the surgical table) to enablepost-free hip distraction with or without positioning the patient in theTrendelenburg position. Examples of suitable slide-resisting pads,according to various embodiments, include any of the stabilizing padsdescribed in U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No.15/890,047, filed on Feb. 6, 2018 and titled “Method and apparatus forsupporting and stabilizing a patient during hip distraction.” Suitableslide-resisting pads, according to various embodiments, also include anyof the pad embodiments described in U.S. provisional patent applicationNo. 62/954,888, filed Dec. 30, 2019, and titled Apparatus and Method forPatient Positioning, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a slide-resisting pad 500according to various embodiments. Slide-resisting pad 500 includes a topsurface 502 for contacting a patient and a bottom surface 504 forcontacting the surgical table (e.g., the cushions of the surgicaltable). The top surface 502 preferably comprises a high frictionmaterial for preventing a patient from sliding relative to the pad 500.The top surface 502 is made of a material which is suitable forcontacting the skin of a patient, with respect to both patientcompatibility and comfort, while also increasing friction with thepatient. According to various embodiments, the pad 500 includes straps506 for strapping the pad 500 to the surgical table and/or to thepatient. According to various embodiments, the pad 500 is a disposablepad.

According to various embodiments, the pad 500 is formed of a singlematerial, such as a closed or open cell foam material. The material mayhave a “tacky” surface to provide high coefficients of friction with thepatient and/or table. The foam material may be compliant so as toconform to the patient. A suitable foam material is a polyetherpolyurethane blend. According to various embodiments, the coefficient offriction of the pad 500 against bare skin is sufficient to enable atraction force to be applied to the patient to achieve a desired amountof traction while the surgical table and patient remain in a horizontalposition, which in some embodiments is at least 0.85, at least 0.90, atleast 0.95, at least 1.00, at least 1.05, at least 1.10, or at least1.15, per ASTM D1894. According to various embodiments, thesecoefficients friction may be achieved with a polyurethane foam pad thatprovides 12-22 lbs. of force at 25% Indentation Force Deflection perASTM D3574.

According to various embodiments, the pad 500 is formed of layers ofdifferent material. In some embodiments, a high friction material formsthe top and/or bottom surfaces 502, 504 and is layered on a central foammaterial. According to some embodiments, a urethane foam forms a middlelayer and an adhesive back suede or leather is disposed on the top andbottom of the middle layer to form the top and bottom surfaces of thepad 500. For example, a Tricot 100% Polyester (0.035″ thick) may belaminated on to a foam middle layer, such as a urethane foam middlelayer. The suede may be coated with SEBS(styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) hot melt adhesive such that thecoated suede has a coefficient of friction between 1.0-3.0 per ASTMD1894.

The pad 500 may be any suitable thickness. In some embodiments, the pad500 is a minimum of 0.5 inches, which may be a minimum thickness toprevent ripping or tearing during a surgical procedure. In someembodiments, the pad 500 is less than 5 inches thick, preferably amaximum of 3 inches, which provides maximum performance while not beingtoo cumbersome for shipping, storage, and/or handling.

According to various embodiments, the pad 500 includes one or morefeatures cut or formed into a foam material. For example, the pad 500may have a thickened region intended to be positioned adjacent to apatient's buttocks or shoulders to resist lateral movement of thebuttocks or shoulders. An exemplary pad 600 with a thickened region 602is illustrated in FIG. 6A. In some embodiments, the pad 500 includes acorrugated or serrated shape, such as region 604 of pad 600 in FIG. 6A.A pad can include convolutions, such as shown in FIG. 6B. In someembodiments, the pad includes a wedge-shaped region, such as shown inFIG. 6C, which can be positioned adjacent the buttocks of the patient toprovide further resistance to sliding.

According to various embodiments, the slide-resisting pad includesindicators for indicating proper patient positioning and properequipment positioning, which may include indicating that there is nometal in the imaging field if anatomy being imaged is arranged in apredetermined manner with respect to the indicators. For example, thepad 700 in FIG. 7 includes two indicators 702 in the form of cutouts,and the pad 700 can be placed on the surgical table such that thecutouts are arranged with respect to a portion of the surgical tablethat suitable for imaging, such as adjacent the proximal end of thedistal portion 120 of system 100. With the pad 700 properly placed onthe surgical table, the indicators 702 indicate to the surgicalpersonnel where the patients' hip should be located to enable imaging.The surgical personnel can position patient on pad/table so that patientanatomy that needs to be imaged (x-ray) can be clearly seen withoutexcessive or extra shadowing from the table or mounting brackets.According to various embodiments, the pad 700 includes at least two setsof straps 704 and 706 for strapping the pad 700 to the surgical tableand/or to the patient. The first set of straps 704 may be located at aproximal end 708 of the pad 700 at or near the location where thepatient's shoulders are positioned. The second set of straps 706 may belocated at a distal end 710 of the pad 700 at or near the location wherethe patient's buttocks are positioned. By locating the straps 704 and706 at locations of the pad 700 that correspond to the patient'sshoulders and buttock, respectively, the locations of the pad 700 thatreceive the greatest pressure from the patient can be strapped to thesurgical table.

In some embodiments, the pad may include more than two sets of straps.For example, in FIG. 7B, pad 750 includes a third set of straps 712 thatis located between the first and second sets of straps 704, 706. Thethird set of straps 712 may be located at the portion of the pad 750that corresponds to the small of the back of the patient. The typicalcurvature of a patient's back may result in the patient's body applyingthe least amount of pressure to the pad at the location that correspondsto the small of the back of the patient. This may lead to bunching ofthe pad in this location when the patient is inclined. Locating a thirdset of straps at the small of the back, therefore, can help preventbunching of the pad and increase the resistance of the pad to movementof the patient.

In some embodiments, straps 704 attach to the surgical table (e.g. theside rails). In some embodiments, straps 706 attach to the distalportion 120; in this embodiment, straps 706 may attach to cutouts in thedistal portion. In some embodiments, straps 712 may attach to the distalportion 120, the platform 110 or the connection between the distalportion 120 and the platform 110.

FIGS. 8-10B, 11A-11J and 12 illustrate various embodiments of aslide-resisting pad configured in particular for facilitatingtransferring a patient from a gurney to a surgical table, transportingthe patient along the surgical table, stabilizing the patient on thesurgical table during a surgical procedure, and/or transporting thepatient off the surgical table and back onto a gurney at the conclusionof the surgical procedure. Patient pad 5 comprising a top surface 10 forsupporting a patient, and a bottom surface 15 for engaging a supportstructure. Patient pad 5 further comprises (when seen from theperspective of an observer) a right side edge 20, a left side edge 25, atop edge 30 and a bottom edge 35. Bottom surface 15 comprises at leastone first region 40 having a higher coefficient of friction, and atleast one second region 45 having a lower coefficient of friction.During transport of the patient from a gurney to the surgical table,transport of the patient along the surgical table, and transport of thepatient from the surgical table back onto a gurney, second region 45(having a lower coefficient of friction) engages the support structure(e.g., the gurney or the surgical table) and first region 40 (having ahigher coefficient of friction) does not engage the support structure,whereby to facilitate transport of the patient by sliding patient pad 5(carrying the patient) along the support structure; and duringstabilizing of the patient on the surgical table during a surgicalprocedure, first region 40 (having a higher coefficient of friction)engages the support structure and second region 45 (having a lowercoefficient of friction) may or may not engage the support structure(either fully or partially or not at all), whereby to facilitatestabilizing the patient on the surgical table by preventing sliding ofpatient pad 5 (carrying the patient) along the surgical table.

By way of example but not limitation, when the patient needs to betransported from a gurney to the surgical table, transported along thesurgical table, and transported from the surgical table back onto agurney, patient pad 5 is gripped alongside two or more of its edges andlifted so that second region 45 (having a lower coefficient of friction)engages the support structure (e.g., the gurney or the surgical table)and first region 40 (having a higher coefficient of friction) does notengage the support structure. Patient pad 5 (carrying the patient) isthen slid along the support structure so as to facilitate transport ofthe patient. When the patient needs to be stabilized on the surgicaltable during a surgical procedure, patient pad 5 is not lifted along twoor more of its edges so that first region 40 (having a highercoefficient of friction) engages the support structure and second region45 (having a lower coefficient of friction) may or may not engage thesupport structure (either fully or partially or not at all), whereby tostabilize the patient on the surgical table by preventing sliding ofpatient pad 5 (carrying the patient) along the surgical table.

In some embodiments, the body of patient pad 5 comprises one or moresheets of material (e.g., a foam sheet, a plastic sheet, a textilesheet, etc., including any of the materials described above) which isstrong enough to support the weight of the patient; top surface 10 ofpatient pad 5 comprises an atraumatic material which provides resistanceto a patient sliding thereon (e.g., high friction foam); first region 40(having a higher coefficient of friction) comprises a layer of material(e.g., foam, suction cups, etc.) disposed on bottom surface 15 ofpatient pad 5; and second region 45 (having a lower coefficient offriction) comprises a layer of material (e.g., low friction foam, apolymer sheet, a woven sheet, rollers, etc.) disposed on bottom surface15 of patient pad 5.

By way of example but not limitation, and looking now at FIG. 11A,patient pad 5 may comprise a sheet 1200 formed out of a material havinga higher coefficient of friction, such that one or more portions of thebottom surface 15 of sheet 1200 constitute one or more first regions 40(having a higher coefficient of friction). One or more sheets 1205formed out of a material having a lower coefficient of friction may bemounted to the bottom of sheet 1200, such that one or more secondregions 45 (having a lower coefficient of friction) are provided on thebottom of patient pad 5. FIG. 11B shows a construction similar to thatof FIG. 11A, except that the one or more sheets 1205 are received in oneor more recesses formed in sheet 1200. FIGS. 11C and 11D showconstructions which are similar to FIGS. 11A and 11B, respectively,except that a sheet 1210 is mounted above sheet 1200. In someembodiments, sheet 1210 may be optimized to provide atraumatic contactwith the patient while providing resistance to patient sliding thereon.

FIG. 11E shows another construction in which a sheet 1205, formed out ofa material having a lower coefficient of friction, has one or moresheets 1200, formed out of a material having a higher coefficient offriction, mounted below sheet 1205, and in which a sheet 1210 is mountedabove sheet 1205. FIG. 11F shows a construction similar to that of FIG.11E, except that the one or more sheets 1200 are received in one or morerecesses formed in sheet 1205. FIGS. 11G and 11H are similar to FIGS.11C and 11D, respectively, except that one or more intermediate sheets1215 are interposed between sheets 1200 and 1210. Sheet 1215 may beoptimized for various functionality, e.g., strength. FIGS. 11I and 11Jare similar to FIGS. 11E and 11F, respectively, except that one or moreintermediate sheets 1215 are interposed between sheets 1205 and 1210.

According to various embodiments, a first region 40 is disposed beneathat least one of a hip/buttocks and a shoulder of the patient, inasmuchas the hips/buttocks and shoulders of the patient tend to be weightconcentrators, as described above with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B.According to various embodiments, a first region 40 is disposed beneatha hip/buttocks of the patient and another first region 40 is disposedbeneath a shoulder of the patient. According to various embodiments, asecond region 45 is disposed between two adjacent first regions 40.According to various embodiments, a first region 40 is disposed beneatheach hip/buttocks and shoulder of the patient. According to variousembodiments, a different first region 40 is disposed beneath eachhip/buttock and shoulder of the patient. In some embodiments, ifdesired, a second region 45 may be disposed between two adjacent firstregions 40. According to various embodiments, a first region 40 isdisposed beneath the two hips/buttocks of the patient and another firstregion 40 is disposed beneath the two shoulders of the patient. In someembodiments, if desired, a second region 45 may be disposed between twoadjacent first regions 40.

According to various embodiments, and looking now at FIGS. 12-15 and18-22 , patient pad 5 comprises a central longitudinal axis 50, and asecond region 45 is disposed along central longitudinal axis 50, a firstregion 40 is disposed on one side of the second region and another firstregion 40 is disposed on the other side of the second region. In someembodiments, if desired, one first region 40 may be disposed beneath onehip of the patient and another first region 40 may be disposed beneaththe other hip of the patient, and the second region 45 may be disposedbetween the two first regions 40. In some embodiments, if desired, onefirst region 40 may be disposed beneath one shoulder of the patient andanother first region 40 may be disposed beneath the other shoulder ofthe patient, and the second region 45 may be disposed between the twofirst regions 40. In some embodiments, if desired, one first region 40may be disposed beneath one hip of the patient, another first region 40may be disposed beneath the other hip of the patient, a first region 40may be disposed beneath one shoulder of the patient, another firstregion 40 may be disposed beneath the other shoulder of the patient, andadjacent first regions 40 may be separated from one another by secondregions 45. According to various embodiments, patient pad 5 may beconfigured to change its points of contact with the support structure bychanging the configuration of its bottom surface 15. According tovarious embodiments, patient pad 5 is configured to change theconfiguration of bottom surface 15 by lifting of patient pad 5.

According to various embodiments, patient pad 5 may comprise centrallongitudinal axis 50, right side edge 20 on one side of centrallongitudinal axis 50, left side edge 25 on the other side of centrallongitudinal axis 50, a right side handle 55 adjacent right side edge 20and a left side handle 60 adjacent left hand edge 25, such that uponlifting the two handles, the right and left side edges sit further fromthe support structure than central longitudinal axis 50. As a result,second region 45 (having a lower coefficient of friction) engages thesupport structure and first regions 40 (having a higher coefficient offriction) are disengaged from the support structure, thereby enablingpatient pad 5 (carrying the patient) to be slid along the supportstructure. According to various embodiments, second region 45 is alignedwith central longitudinal axis 50 and first region 40 is laterallyoffset from central longitudinal axis 50.

According to various embodiments, and looking now at FIGS. 17-20 , astrap 65 extends between the two handles 55, 60. According to variousembodiments, a right side shoulder handle 55A is disposed adjacent rightside edge 20 in the vicinity of a shoulder of the patient, a right sidehip handle 55B is disposed adjacent right side edge 20 in the vicinityof a hip of the patient, a left side shoulder handle 60A is disposedadjacent left side edge 25 in the vicinity of a shoulder of the patient,and a left side hip handle 60B is disposed adjacent left side edge 25 inthe vicinity of a hip of the patient. According to various embodiments,a strap 65 extends between right side shoulder handle 55A and left sideshoulder handle 60A, and another strap 65 extends between right side hiphandle 55B and left side hip handle 60B. According to variousembodiments, a strap 65 extends between right side shoulder handle 55Aand left side hip handle 60B, and another strap 65 extends between leftside shoulder handle 60A and right side hip handle 55B.

According to various embodiments, and looking now at FIGS. 21-24 ,patient pad 5 comprises a contoured bottom surface 15 wherein secondregion 45 (having a lower coefficient of friction) normally residesfurther away from the support structure (e.g., the gurney or thesurgical table) than first region 40 (having a higher coefficient offriction). Patient pad 5 also comprises an inflatable chamber 70 forselectively moving first region 40 further away from the supportstructure than second region 45. As a result, when inflatable chamber 70is inflated, second region 45 (having a lower coefficient of friction)engages the support structure and first region 40 (having a highercoefficient of friction) is disengaged from the support structure,thereby enabling patient pad 5 (carrying the patient) to be slid alongthe support structure. When inflatable chamber 70 is deflated, secondregion 45 (having a lower coefficient of friction) may or may not engagethe support structure (either fully or partially or not at all) andfirst region 40 (having a higher coefficient of friction) engages thesupport structure, whereby to stabilize the patient on the surgicaltable by preventing sliding of patient pad 5 (carrying the patient)along the surgical table. In some embodiments, inflatable chamber 70 isaligned with second region 45.

According to various embodiments, and looking now at FIGS. 25-27 ,patient pad 5 further comprises a stiffener 75 to resist bunching whenpatient pad 5 is subjected to a sliding force. In some embodiments,stiffener 75 preferably comprises a layer of material disposed betweentop surface 10 and bottom surface 15 of patient pad 5, although thelayer of material could also be disposed alongside top surface 10 and/orbottom surface 15. In one preferred form of the invention, stiffener 75comprises one or more semi-rigid materials, e.g., plastic sheets.Alternatively, where the patient pad is a composite comprising multiplelayers, the desired stiffened effect may be achievable with selectivestacking of the layers.

It should be appreciated that, if desired, patient pad 5 may be providedwith stiffener 75, with or without providing at least one first region40 having a higher coefficient of friction and at least one secondregion 45 have a higher coefficient of friction. More particularly, Insome embodiments, patient pad 5 comprises top surface 10 for supportinga patient, and bottom surface 15 for engaging a support structure,wherein top surface 10 comprises foam, wherein bottom surface 15comprises at least one of foam, a polymer sheet and a woven sheet, andfurther wherein patient pad 5 comprises stiffener 75 to resist bunchingwhen patient pad 5 is subjected to a sliding force. In some embodiments,stiffener 75 preferably comprises a layer of material disposed betweentop surface 10 and bottom surface 15 of patient pad 5, although thelayer of material could also be disposed alongside top surface 10 and/orbottom surface 15. In one preferred form of the invention, stiffener 75comprises one or more semi-rigid materials, e.g., plastic sheets.Alternatively, where the patient pad is a composite comprising multiplelayers, the desired stiffened effect may be achievable with selectivestacking of the layers

According to various embodiments, and looking now at FIG. 28 , patientpad 5 comprises top surface 10 for supporting a patient, and bottomsurface 15 for engaging a support structure, wherein bottom surface 15comprises a first region 80 having at least one opening 85 communicatingwith a source 90 of at least one of suction and air pressure. Duringtransport of the patient from a gurney to the surgical table, transportof the patient along the surgical table, and transport of the patientfrom the surgical table back onto a gurney, the at least one opening 85of first region 80 communicates with a source 90 of air pressure so asto create an air cushion beneath bottom surface 15 of patient pad 5 andthereby facilitates transport of patient pad 5 (carrying the patient)along the support structure; and during stabilizing of the patient onthe surgical table during a surgical procedure, the at least one opening85 of first region 80 communicates with a source 90 of suction, so as tocreate an air grip beneath bottom surface 15 of patient pad 5 andthereby facilitate stabilizing patient pad 5 (carrying the patient) onthe surgical table.

By way of example but not limitation, when the patient needs to betransported from a gurney to the surgical table, transported along thesurgical table, and transported from the surgical table back onto agurney, at least one opening 85 of first region 80 communicates with asource 90 of air pressure so as to create an air cushion beneath bottomsurface 15 of patient pad 5, and thereby facilitates transport of 15patient pad 5 (carrying the patient) along the support structure.Patient pad 5 (carrying the patient) is then slid along the supportstructure so as to facilitate transport of the patient. When the patientneeds to be stabilized on the surgical table during a surgicalprocedure, at least one opening 85 of first region 80 communicates witha source 90 of suction, so as to create an air grip beneath bottomsurface 15 of patient pad 5 and thereby facilitates stabilizing patientpad 5 (carrying the patient) on the surgical table.

According to various embodiments, and looking now at FIGS. 29 and 30 , apatient pad 5 comprises a top element 1105 for supporting a patient, anda bottom element 1110 for engaging a support structure, wherein bottomelement 1110 comprises at least two handles 1115, wherein top element1105 comprises at least two openings 1120 for passing the at least twohandles 1115 therethrough, wherein top element 1105 can be disposed atopbottom element 1110 with the at least two handles 1115 extending throughthe at least two openings 1120, whereby patient pad 5 can be lifted as aunit by pulling upward on the two handles 1115.

According to various embodiments, and looking now at FIGS. 31 and 32 , apatient support 1125 comprises a conveyor belt 1130 for receiving apatient thereon and for moving the patient by rotation of conveyor belt1130.

According to various embodiments, systems and methods includetransporting a patient from a gurney to a surgical table, transportingthe patient along the surgical table, stabilizing the patient on thesurgical table during a surgical procedure, and transporting the patientoff the surgical table and back onto a gurney at the conclusion of thesurgical procedure. According to various embodiments, these systems andmethods can use any of the slide-resisting pads described herein and caninclude a pad that includes a top surface for supporting a patient; anda bottom surface for engaging a support structure; wherein the bottomsurface comprises: at least one first region having a higher coefficientof friction; and at least one second region having a lower coefficientof friction.

During transport of the patient from a gurney to the surgical table,transport of the patient along the surgical table, and transport of thepatient from the surgical table back onto a gurney, the second region(having a lower coefficient of friction) engages the support structure(e.g., the gurney or the surgical table) and the first region (having ahigher coefficient of friction) does not engage the support structure,whereby to facilitate transport of the patient by sliding the patientpad (carrying the patient) along the support structure; and duringstabilizing of the patient on the surgical table during a surgicalprocedure, the first region (having a higher coefficient of friction)engages the support structure and the second region (having a lowercoefficient of friction) may or may not engage the support structure(either fully or partially or not at all), whereby to facilitatestabilizing the patient on the surgical table by preventing sliding ofthe patient pad (carrying the patient) along the surgical table.

By way of example but not limitation, when the patient needs to betransported from a gurney to the surgical table, transported along thesurgical table, and transported from the surgical table back onto agurney, the patient pad is gripped alongside two or more of its edgesand lifted so that the second region (having a lower coefficient offriction) engages the support structure (e.g., the gurney or thesurgical table) and the first region (having a higher coefficient offriction) does not engage the support structure. The patient pad(carrying the patient) is then slid along the support structure so as tofacilitate transport of the patient.

When the patient needs to be stabilized on the surgical table during asurgical procedure, the patient pad is not lifted along two or more ofits edges so that the first region (having a higher coefficient offriction) engages the support structure and the second region (having alower coefficient of friction) may or may not engage the supportstructure (either fully or partially or not at all), whereby tostabilize the patient on the surgical table by preventing sliding of thepatient pad (carrying the patient) along the surgical table.

According to some embodiments, a patient pad includes: a top surface forsupporting a patient; and a bottom surface for engaging a supportstructure; wherein the top surface comprises foam; wherein the bottomsurface comprises at least one of foam, a polymer sheet and a wovensheet; and further wherein the patient pad comprises a stiffener toresist bunching when the patient pad is subjected to a sliding force.

According to some embodiments, a patient pad includes: a top surface forsupporting a patient; and a bottom surface for engaging a supportstructure; wherein the bottom surface comprises: a first region havingat least one opening communicating with a source of at least one ofsuction and air pressure. During transport of the patient from a gurneyto the surgical table, transport of the patient along the surgicaltable, and transport of the patient from the surgical table back onto agurney, the at least one opening of the first region communicates with asource of air pressure so as to create an air cushion beneath the bottomsurface of the patient pad and thereby facilitate transport of thepatient pad (carrying the patient) along the support structure; andduring stabilizing of the patient on the surgical table during asurgical procedure, the at least one opening of the first regioncommunicates with a source of suction, so as to create an air gripbeneath the bottom surface of the patient pad and thereby facilitatestabilizing the patient pad (carrying the patient) on the surgicaltable.

By way of example but not limitation, when the patient needs to betransported from a gurney to the surgical table, transported along thesurgical table, and transported from the surgical table back onto agurney, the at least one opening of the first region communicates with asource of air pressure so as to create an air cushion beneath the bottomsurface of the patient pad, and thereby facilitates transport of thepatient pad (carrying the patient) along the support structure. Thepatient pad (carrying the patient) is then slid along the supportstructure so as to facilitate transport of the patient. When the patientneeds to be stabilized on the surgical table during a surgicalprocedure, the at least one opening of the first region communicateswith a source of suction, so as to create an air grip beneath the bottomsurface of the patient pad and thereby facilitates stabilizing thepatient pad (carrying the patient) on the surgical table.

According to some embodiments, a patient pad includes: a top element forsupporting a patient; and a bottom element for engaging a supportstructure; wherein the bottom element comprises at least two handles;wherein the top element comprises at least two openings for passing theat least two handles therethrough; wherein the top element can bedisposed atop the bottom element with the at least two handles extendingthrough the at least two openings, whereby the patient pad can be liftedas a unit by pulling upward on the two handles.

According to some embodiments, a patient support includes: a conveyorbelt for receiving a patient thereon and for moving the patient byrotation of the conveyor belt.

The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the techniques and their practical applications. Othersskilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniquesand various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described withreference to the accompanying figures, it is to be noted that variouschanges and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as beingincluded within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined bythe claims. Finally, the entire disclosure of the patents andpublications referred to in this application are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

1. (canceled)
 2. A method for hip distraction, the method comprising:positioning a patient on a patient pad placed on a surgical table; andapplying a distraction force to a leg of the patient that is sufficientto distract a hip joint of the patient, wherein the distraction force isopposed by a slide-resisting friction force provided by the patient padand the patient pad is sufficiently stiff to resist bunching whileproviding the slide-resisting friction force.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein applying the distraction force comprises setting a position of adistractor that applies the distraction force.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein applying the distraction force comprises moving a boot of thedistractor away from the surgical table.
 5. The method of claim 2,wherein the distraction force is opposed entirely by the slide-resistingfriction force provided by the patient pad.
 6. The method of claim 2,comprising strapping the patient pad to the surgical table.
 7. Themethod of claim 2, wherein positioning the patient on the patient padcomprises positioning the patient such that the patient pad extendsbeneath shoulders and buttocks of the patient.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein a first set of straps are located proximate to where shouldersof the patient are positioned and a second set of straps are locatedproximate to where buttocks of the patient are positioned.
 9. The methodof claim 2, wherein the patient pad comprises a stiffener configured toresist bunching when the patient pad is subjected to a sliding force.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the stiffener comprises one or moreplastic sheets.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the stiffenercomprises a layer of material disposed on at least one of a top surfaceand a bottom surface of the patient pad.
 12. The method of claim 2,wherein the patient pad resists bunching based on a layered structure.13. The method of claim 2, wherein the patient pad comprises a foammaterial.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the foam materialcomprises a polyether polyurethane blend.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein the patient pad comprises a single layer of the foam material.16. The method of claim 2, wherein a coefficient of friction provided bythe patient pad is at least 0.85.
 17. The method of claim 2, wherein thepatient pad is a disposable pad.
 18. The method of claim 2, wherein thepatient pad comprises at least one visual indicator for indicating howto position the patient pad on the surgical table and/or how to positionthe patient on the patient pad.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theat least one visual indicator comprises at least one cut-out.
 20. Apatient pad comprising: a top surface for supporting a patient; and abottom surface for engaging a support structure; wherein the top surfacecomprises foam; wherein the bottom surface comprises at least one offoam, a polymer sheet and a woven sheet; and further wherein the patientpad comprises a stiffener to resist bunching when the patient pad issubjected to a sliding force.
 21. The patient pad of claim 20, whereinthe stiffener comprises a layer of material disposed between the topsurface and the bottom surface.
 22. The patient pad of claim 20, whereinthe stiffener comprises a layer of material disposed alongside the topsurface and/or the bottom surface.
 23. The patient pad of claim 20,wherein the stiffener comprises one or more plastic sheets.
 24. Thepatient pad of claim 20, comprising a first set of straps locatedproximate to where shoulders of the patient are positioned and a secondset of straps located proximate to where buttocks of the patient arepositioned.
 25. The patient pad of claim 20, wherein the foam of the topsurface and/or the bottom surface comprises a polyether polyurethaneblend.
 26. The patient pad of claim 20, wherein a coefficient offriction provided by the patient pad is at least 0.85.
 27. The patientpad of claim 20, wherein the patient pad is a disposable pad.
 28. Thepatient pad of claim 20, comprising at least one visual indicator forindicating how to position the patient pad on the support structureand/or how to position the patient on the patient pad.
 29. The patientpad of claim 28, wherein the at least one visual indicator comprises atleast one cut-out.
 30. A method for patient positioning, the methodcomprising: providing a patient pad comprising: a top surface forsupporting a patient; and a bottom surface for engaging a supportstructure; wherein the top surface comprises foam; wherein the bottomsurface comprises at least one of foam, a polymer sheet and a wovensheet; and further wherein the patient pad comprises a stiffener toresist bunching when the patient pad is subjected to a sliding force;and positioning a patient so that the patient is supported by the topsurface of the patient pad.